Bolts’ Steven Stamkos skates in full gear for first time since breaking his leg

George Johnson, Calgary Herald01.03.2014

Tampa Bay Lightning center Steven Stamkos is attended to on the ice after banging into the goalpost during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Boston Bruins in Boston Monday, Nov. 11, 2013. Stamkos was taken off the ice on a stretcher after the play. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

The legs ache. The lungs burn like a fireplace bellows. The timing, once so apparently effortless, so astonishingly impeccable, still seems that all-but-imperceptible-to-the-layman’s-eye half a heartbeat off.

Lordy, though, does it all ever feel GOOD.

“This,’’ said Steven Stamkos on Thursday, perspiration running down his face the way rain drops trickle down a window pane in a summer sun shower, “is pretty much the first time I’ve skated with full gear. That’s another step in the right direction. It’s little baby steps at this point but my main focus is to ... get it stronger, working off the ice and getting on the ice.

“Getting the lungs back a little bit. The laps seem a lot easier when you’re in shape. It’s about not having a setback right now and I’m definitely pleased with where I’m that.’’

As every puck-loving, referee-baiting, flag-waving Canadian knows, Stamkos, the game’s finest pure goal scorer, suffered a broken leg Nov. 11th against Boston after crashing into a goalpost, throwing his availability for Russia and this country’s quest — pre-occupation might not be too strong a word — to repeat as Olympic men’s hockey gold medallists.

At the time of the accident, his Sochi prospects appeared dim.

Now, six weeks from the opening of the Games, the country waits to see if he can, in fact, beat the odds, and then the rest of the Olympic field.

“This is the first time I’ve gone through something like this,’’ confessed Stamkos, “so I can’t compare it to anything, but I’m extremely pleased with the progress thus far.

“It’s just about continuing each day to feel a little better. We’ve had that so far, so we hope that continues.’’

On the ice at the Scotiabank Saddledome, after the Tampa Bay Lightning’s practice had officially ended, Stamkos, bedecked in a red no-contact jersey, worked out for a spell. He spent some of the time working with skipper and linemate Martin St. Louis on tipping pucks, regaining that feel for the game.

“That’s the thing that comes a little later in the progression period. You know that when I come back, whenever that is, that’s going to take a couple of games, for sure, to make that adjustment. I’m not too concerned with the timing stuff yet. It’s more about getting back skating pain-free and doing certain movements pain free.

“We’re obviously not at a point quite yet with full torque on certain movements. Sometimes I have to remind myself it’s only been seven weeks.’’

Has Stamkos surprised even himself at the rate of recovery?

“Yeah, I think so. Like I said before, I’ve never gone through anything this traumatic so you don’t know how your body responds. I said this in Vancouver the other day, I have a lot of things going for me: Youth. The ability to be surrounded by a great medical staff. The advantages of being an athlete and having certain rehab facilities to use 24/7.

“I’ve been very fortunate in that regard and I’ve been taking full advantage of that.’’

The protocol since the injury has remained the same: Stamkos has the leg x-rayed every two weeks to gauge progress.

“I was kinda told 10 to 12 weeks before this thing is fully, fully healed so it’s getting there. You’d like to think you’re on the shorter end of the recovery.’’

A nation, holding its collective breath to the point of passing out, would like to think so, too.

***

The disappointment for Bolts’ goalie Ben Bishop at being bypassed for the U.S. Olympic roster had a day to set in.

“I dunno, I’m kinda getting used to it,’’ he said jokingly Thursday. “I thought I was going to make the AHL All-Star Game a couple years ago and I wound up going as a reserve, when I thought for sure I was going to make it. I thought I was going to make St. Louis out of camp one year and I didn’t make that. So ...

“It’s just one of those things: What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. You’ve just got to deal with it and keep working hard. Because you never know. Maybe the next Olympics. Just keep a good attitude.’’

No American has more wins or a better save percentage than the 27-year-old Bishop, Denver born, and his 21 wins is tied for second most among NHL goalies. Yet that was enough to sway the American brain trust.

No irony, then, in the fact that he happens to be here, in the town now ruled by Team USA’s director of player personnel Brian Burke, with a shot at beating Burke’s Calgary Flames on Friday night?

“I heard I was gonna hear from the team. I wasn’t sure I’d hear from him when I was here. But, no, Dale Tallon game me a call this morning.

“I’ve met Burkie a couple times at both World Championships. I have a lot of respect for the guy. He’s a great guy. It’s one of those things where they had a tough decision. I tried to make it as hard as I could on them. I probably wasn’t even on their radar at the beginning of the season and put myself down to the last guy, between (Jimmy) Howard and I, and they went with the guy with a little more experience.

“All that being said, some guys are still hurt, you never know what’s going to happen.’’

He flat out dismissed the snub as motivation for the remainder of the year.

“I wasn’t using it as motivation before, either. You had to play well with the Lightning in order to make that team. Afterwards, same thing. I want to play well and make the playoffs. I don’t think anything’s going to change game to game. I’m going to come out with the same attitude, same preparation each game.

“It’d be nice to keep playing as well as I’ve been playing and hopefully they regret it.’’

gjohnson@calgaryherald.com

Follow George Johnson on Twitter/GeorgejohnsonCH

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Bolts’ Steven Stamkos skates in full gear for first time since breaking his leg

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